Scripture provides examples of believers who express temporary doubts--in particular about the willingness and power of God to deliver his people, the nature of his purpose, and their own place within the divine plan.
Examples of those doubting their effectiveness to serve God
Moses
Exodus 3:11 See also Exodus 4:1, Exodus 4:10–13, Exodus 6:12, Exodus 6:30; Numbers 11:13–15
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
Gideon
Judges 6:15 See also Judges 6:17, Judges 6:36–40
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”
Elijah
1 Kings 19:3–4 See also 1 Kings 19:10, 1 Kings 19:14
And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1:6 See also Jeremiah 15:10
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
Those temporarily doubting God's promises
Genesis 15:8 See also Genesis 17:17–18, Genesis 18:12–15; Luke 1:18
But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?”
Those doubting God's power
Abraham and Isaac doubt God's protection
Genesis 12:12–13 Fearing for his safety, Abraham resorts to deception. See also Genesis 20:2, Genesis 26:7
and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”
Moses and Israel in the desert
Exodus 5:22–23 See also Exodus 14:10–11 The Israelites doubt God's protection at the Red Sea; Numbers 11:21–22 Moses doubts God's provision of food; Numbers 13:31–33 The ten spies doubt God's power to give victory in Canaan; Numbers 20:7–12 Moses strikes the rock twice.
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.”
Others doubting God's deliverance
1 Samuel 17:11 The people of Israel are dismayed by the challenge from Goliath; Isaiah 7:2 King Ahaz, afraid of the coalition of Syria and Israel turns to Assyria for help; Matthew 14:29–31 Peter, walking on water, is afraid and begins to sink; Acts 12:14–15 The early church does not believe that God has released Peter from prison.
Believers questioning God
Questioning God's actions
Judges 6:13 See also Numbers 11:10–12, Numbers 14:3; Joshua 7:7–8
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
Questioning God's commands
1 Samuel 16:2 Samuel; 2 Kings 4:42–43 Elisha's servant; Isaiah 7:12 Ahaz; Mark 6:37 parallels Matthew 14:16–17, Luke 9:13; John 11:39 Martha; Acts 9:13–14 Ananias
Believers with doubts about Jesus Christ
Matthew 11:2–3 parallel Luke 7:18–19John 20:25 See also Matthew 28:17; Mark 16:11–14; Luke 24:25
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.